Parliament in the Making

In 2015 The Houses of Parliament, along with the nation, will be celebrating a special year: 750 years since the De Montfort parliament and 800 years since the sealing of Magna Carta.

Parliament in the Making is a year-long programme of UK-wide events and activities which will commemorate significant historic anniversaries that underpinned the establishment of Parliamentary democracy and the legal system in the UK and around the world. These anniversaries include 800 years since the sealing of Magna Carta (15 June 1215) and 750 years since the Montfort parliament (20 January 1265).

Launching on 20 January 2015, the date of the Montfort parliamentary anniversary, the programme will present, recognise and acknowledge the past as well as encourage debate about the future of democracy. Highlights include exhibitions, creative projects in schools, new online learning and education resources, ceremonial events, participatory opportunities, conferences, lectures and partnership programmes.

Magna Carta and Parliament

On 5 February 2015 the four surviving original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta will be displayed in the House of Lords – bringing together surviving original copies of the document that established the principle of the rule of law, in the place where UK law is made. The original copies are being loaned from the British Library, Lincoln Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral for one day only, following on from a three-day event at the British Library from 2 – 4 February 2015, at which the four manuscripts will be brought together for the first time in history. This one-off event will be followed by a month-long exhibition organised by the Parliamentary Archives, which will include iconic documents such as The Bill of Rights and the 1832 Great Reform Act. A version of this exhibition will subsequently be on display at various partner venues.

Dates for your Diary

20th Jan – Nov – Banners to hang in Westminster Hall to commemorate 800 years of the movements and moments that have “made a difference” in the journey to rights and representations.22nd January – A summoning of the Shires and Boroughs to Chapter House, followed by evensong at Westminster Abbey (this part will be open to the public).5th February – The four original Magna Carta to be united at Parliament5-20th February – ‘Magna Carta & Parliament’ exhibition10th February – David Carpenter LectureMarch (Date TBA) – A selection of the flags from Parliament’s Flag Project will be displayed in Parliament Square14th June – LberTeas: Parliament is encouraging organisations and communities to deliver a national “join in” moment.June/July (Date TBA) – A Lecture on Magna Carta – speaker to be announced shortly.